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2021 Kia Forte

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 68 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 16 Forte model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  13. 68

Of the 2021 reports, 11 involved a crash. 7 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine22 reports · 32% of complaints
Owner complaints68Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship2 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine22
  2. Other or unspecified18
  3. Steering9
  4. Electrical system8
  5. Air bags7
  6. Power train7
  7. Fuel/propulsion system3
  8. Seat belts3

Recalls and investigations

  1. Steering, columnMay 5, 2022

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.

    Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

    Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.

    Campaign 22V304000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleMar 11, 2021

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.

    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCS/ODS unit, free of charge. The recall began March 18, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC207.

    Campaign 21V164000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: air bags

7 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 23, 2026, crash

    It keeps getting broken into by the KIA boys in attempt of theft. It's a group that targets KIAs because they're easy. I now have to make sure my steering wheel is locked up. I was recently hit by another driver, i had to go to the hospital but for some reason the airbag did not deploy. I need some assistance

  2. Exterior lighting, Air bags, Structure, Jan 26, 2026, crash

    On May 13, 2023, I was involved in a severe frontal collision on the passenger side while driving my 2021 Kia Forte. The impact caused significant damage, and my insurance company declared the vehicle a total loss. Despite the severity of the crash, none of the airbags deployed. I experienced body pain for several days following the accident. Given the nature of the collision and the damage sustained, the airbags should have deployed to protect the occupants. This raises serious concerns about the reliability of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS).

  3. Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 5, 2025

    Passenger air bag/seat belt goes off like someone is sitting in passenger seat but no one is. Have to do seat belt for the alert stops

  4. Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 28, 2024, crash

    The contact owns a 2021 Kia Forte. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at 20 MPH and attempting to complete a left turn. another driver failed to stop at a red light, as a result, the contact's mother was struck by the other vehicle on the passenger's side; however, the air bags did not deploy. In addition, the seat belt failed to retract. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop for body repair but was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to determine why the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and injuries were reported. The contact's mother did not initially seek medical treatment but was later treated by a chiropractor for back pain resulting from non-descript injuries sustained during the accident. The contact also stated that his mother had later been involved in 2 additional vehicle accidents during which the air bags again failed to deploy; no further police reports or injuries were reported. Following the third and most recent incident, the vehicle again was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnosis though the contact's mother was informed by the body repair shop that the collision was insufficient to trigger air bag deployment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

  5. Air bags, Mar 20, 2022, crash

    I was struck by lightning and totaled my car. My airbags didn’t deploy. I’ve reported this to Kia. They are yet to respond

  6. Air bags, Mar 6, 2022, crash

    I got into an accident by being struck by lightning. I lost consciousness when I came to I was very confuse. I was in the side of a bridge with my foot on the brake looking at a river. My car was totally! My airbags didn’t even deploy. I’ve been paying the price for this with higher insurance rates with an accident on my record. No police report was filed or called because I was fine just confused. Even with it being an act of god, I’m paying for it

  7. Air bags, Feb 3, 2022, crash

    I was in a head on accident at 45mph air bags did not deploy . was wearing my seatbelt and had a head injury due to hit the steering wheel with my head